SW model 30

[Simmer down]

I found this nifty little revolver today. I was looking for a 32SWL that was a little more stout that the 1926 model I have.

My limited knowledge on these tells me it's a first year, 30 no dash and an I frame. 3.5" barrel. ser 6974xx

It was in a shipment of revolvers from the Puerto Rico State Police. I left one at the shop that's a 30-1 snub. I hope it's there later after I finish rolling all my change and can go back for it.

Questions for the crowd: Is it a 1948 production and for reloads what sort of pressure is a safe upper limit?

 

[Simmer down]

Doing my homework I see that this is a 3 screw and has a coiled mainspring. This change happened in 1961, so my first guess is off.

 

[JohnRippert]

The grips and history do give it some panache. I have a similar no dash 30 and with new grips it has become a good carry pistol. And you are right, they are nifty.

 

[Simmer down]

What sort of loads have you tried in yours?

 

[JohnRippert]

Mostly standard wadcutters with some of the Buffalo Bore hardcast 100gr wadcutters at 900fps. I don't reload.

 

[Hondo44]

Doing my homework I see that this is a 3 screw and has a coiled mainspring. This change happened in 1961, so my first guess is off.

That is a nifty little .32! But your homework betrayed you:

You'll find it has a 3" barrel and the coil spring was introduced in 1952. It's built on the Model of 1953 "NEW" I frame and became a 3 screw in 1956.

Per the serial number and my database, it was produced in 1958.
In 1961 the dash 1 was added when it was built on the J frame.

Give it a polish with Fitz or Mothers mag wheel polish and it will almost look like new. Your 1926 model has a heat treated cylinder and is just as stout as your Model 30.

Much more history here:
THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[47knuckle]

I see we had one vote for 3.5" and one vote for 3", but it should be 3.25.
"3.25, 4.25, or 6", 2" also observed", from SCSW. Keep rolling those coins, don't let that 2" get away from you.

 

[Hondo44]

Barrel lengths standardized with the Models of 1953 at 3" and 4". 2" and 6" unchanged and the 2" was newly introduced on the Kit Gun at that time.

THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION: THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[H Richard]

With that s/n it would most probably be in the 1954 - 1955 era. The book shows 1946 to 1960 range as 536685 to 712953. I have a 3 1/4" blue one in the 60009X range that shipped Jan 1953.

These are heat treated, and will take any factory ammo in this caliber, but why beat it up. I load 95-100 gr cast bullets in the 800 fps range, swagged HBWC some slower.

You will be impressed with how accurate these little guns are. Yours would be an Improved I Frame with a coil mainspring, and longer grip frame, but I don't think a J Frame yet.

 

[Simmer down]

Thanks for the load data and other info. I don't intend to turn this into a magnum but really want to get over the 100g 597 fps minimum I limited myself to. I was lobbing them in at 15ft.

 

[Simmer down]

I got to the range with 100g LRN using 2.0g and 2.5g of Bullseye. Both worked fine and I was surprised at how tight this little gun is.